Patagonia is located in the remote southernmost region of South America, spanning the countries of Argentina and Chile. It’s an outdoor adventurer’s dream with some of the world’s most stunning scenery. You’ll discover a breathtaking vista around nearly every corner, from some of the highest mountain peaks on the continent to vast glaciers tinged with blue. Activity options include everything from hiking, climbing, biking, and horseback riding to kayaking and whitewater rafting.
If you’re trying to decide whether to explore Chilean or Argentine Patagonia, the latter offers more wildlife encounters, but the former is renowned for its dramatic landscapes like Torres del Paine National Park. The most famous of Patagonia’s national parks, its granite spires tower more than 6,500 feet above the wild terrain, carved out by glaciers that sweep down to valleys and hang over cliffs. Ideally, you’ll be able to visit both. Either way, this Patagonia travel guide will help you make the best decisions for a memorable trip, revealing everything from what to pack, when to visit, how to get around, where to stay, and the top things to do in Patagonia.
Weather/What to Pack
- Waterproof hiking boots
- Lightweight walking shoes
- Clothing that dries quickly and can be layered for changing conditions
- Thermal leggings
- Fleece sweatshirt or jacket
- Heavier waterproof jacket
- Beanie or another type of warm hat
- Sun protection, including sunscreen, a sun hat, and sunglasses
- Gloves
- Small backpack or daypack
- LARQ Bottle Filtered™
It’s essential to pack smart for travel to Patagonia. Layering will be your best friend no matter when you visit. One minute it can feel like Buenos Aires on a warm, sunny day but the next might be more like you’ve ventured to Antarctica. Be sure to bring your LARQ Bottle Filtered™ to stay hydrated while enjoying clean, good-tasting water without having to resort to plastic bottled water that can harm animals and the environment. It’s safe to drink tap water in most towns throughout Patagonia as it’s treated, but it may have an unpleasant chlorinated taste if not filtered through your LARQ Bottle. When hiking on trails, filling your bottle from a stream is safe, eliminating the need to carry lots of water. If you wanted added protection against bio-contaminants such as E.coli and Salmonella though, be sure to use the PureVis™ cap instead which uses non-toxic UV-C to eradicate them.
When to Visit Patagonia
The ideal months for visiting Patagonia are between November and early March due to milder weather conditions, with December through February the peak period of the high season. This is the Patagonian summer, when temperatures typically from the 50s to mid-70s during the day, dropping into the 40s at night. November and March are shoulder season months, a time when you can avoid the biggest crowds and the most expensive prices while still enjoying decent weather. Be aware that strong winds and rain can occur at any time of the year.
How to Get Around Patagonia
For the most flexibility and freedom, rent a car to get around Patagonia. If you do, you can embark on one of the world’s most scenic road trips along the Carretera Austral, a highway in the south of Chile passing breathtaking areas that are still untouched by humans, with enormous glaciers, Andean Patagonia forests, turquoise lakes, and pristine rivers.
Keep in mind that Patagonia is a vast and sparsely populated area. It’s divided into three different regions: Southern Patagonia, Atlantic Patagonia, and the Lake District. In some cases, getting around by plane is better with the attractions very spread out. Both Argentine Patagonia and Chilean Patagonia are well-connected by a network of buses, and there are frequent flights to and from the larger towns in Chile and Argentina. When you have to cover considerable distances, local flights can be a big timesaver.
Where to Stay
Patagonia offers all types of accommodation. That includes budget-friendly campsites with access to shared showers and toilets, hostels with shared and private rooms, apartment and home rentals, mountain lodges, luxury hotels, and resorts. There are also estancias that provide unique experiences, hosting rustic accommodation on a large sheep or cattle ranch. It’s an opportunity to learn all about the Patagonian farm or ranch life which can include horseback riding excursions along with home-cooked meals.
- El Chalten/Los Glaciares National Park, Argentina: Explora El Chalten
- Puerto Madryn, Valdes Peninsula, Argentina: Hotel Territorio
- Puerto Natales/Torres del Paine National Park, Chile: The Singular Patagonia
- Torres del Paine National Park, Chile: Tierra Patagonia Hotel and Spa
- Argentine Lake District, Argentina: Estancia Peuma Hue
- El Calafate, Argentina: Estancia Cristina
Things to Do in Patagonia
Explore Patagonia on Horseback with a Gaucho
One of the most unforgettable ways to explore Patagonia is on horseback. In this region, you’ll find tours led by gaucho guides, sort of like Latin American “cowboys.”They’re renowned for their horse riding skills and their vast knowledge of the landscape, with trips available that will take you through stunning destinations like Torres del Paine National Park. Discover its breathtaking granite pillars, sapphire lakes, rushing rivers, glistening glaciers, and dense forests while learning about the region’s flora, fauna, and geology. Along the way, you might spot wildlife like guanaco, a relative of the camel, the Andean condor, and puma.
Hit the Trails
Hiking is one of the top things to do in both Chilean and Argentine Patagonia, although Torres del Paine National Park in Chile is particularly appealing. Its awe-inspiring landscapes include the soaring jagged peaks of the Las Torres and the bell-shaped Los Curenos along with the lakes in surreal turquoise hues. Many come to hike the four-day, 43-mile-long “W” which features the main highlights, including Las Torres, the French Valley, and Glacier Grey. It’s the perfect introduction for those new to multi-day treks, camping, or staying in shared dorm rooms along the way. For those who prefer something short and sweet, Torres del Paine is jam-packed with easy trails and epic views. The hike to Mirador Condor is a moderate trek but be aware of the strong winds at the top. They’re worth enduring for the magnificent views of the teal glacial lakes.
In Argentine Patagonia, the Laguna de Los Tres hike is the most famous. Starting from the small town of El Chalten, it climbs 2,625 feet to Laguna de Los Tres which lies beneath the impressive Cerro Fitz Roy mountain peak. This one is challenging, a 13-mile round-trip journey, but when you reach the top, you’ll be glad you did it.
Boat Excursion to Glacier Grey
Those who aren’t up for huffing it around on foot might consider visiting Glacier Grey by boat. Part of the extraordinary Patagonian ice field, it covers nearly 105 square miles of Torres del Paine National Park. Its name comes from its deep, bluish-grey color, which stands out from the landscape so much that it can even be seen from space. Icebergs drift across the icy water in Lago Grey (Grey Lake) with a backdrop of dramatic snow-capped mountains, hanging glaciers, and cascading waterfalls.
The boat excursion will bring you all the way to the massive glacier face so that you can take in the vastness of it all and even hear the crackling sounds of the shifting ice. If you’re lucky, you’ll even get to witness a berg thunderously plunge into the water while you sip the local drink, a pisco sour made with glacial ice.
Get Up Close to Petito Moreno Glacier
Another way to get up close to a glacier can be enjoyed by heading to the small town of El Calafate on the Argentina side near the edge of the Southern Patagonia Ice Field. From here you can experience the awe of Petito Moreno Glacier with guided tours bringing unique perspectives of the ice. Known as the “Eighth Wonder of the World,” the glacier stretches for nearly three miles along a lake with turquoise glacial water, creating a symphony of brilliant blues for a mesmerizing spectacle.
From El Calafate, you’ll also have easy access to the mountains for hiking and multiple lakes for paddling. The town offers artisan markets, a brewery, and eateries serving famous Patagonian lamb.
Penguin Encounters
Patagonia is a great place to see penguins and the very best spot is Punta Tombo, home to the world’s biggest Magellanic penguin colony. There’s no other penguin settlement on Earth of this size that can be easily accessed, reached via a 90-minute drive from Trelew, Argentina. You can even walk among the tuxedoed birds to observe their way of life.
Another great place to see penguins, including penguin chicks that test their swimming skills near Peninsula Valdes, is Martillo Island. Isla Martillo is only accessible by boat from Ushuaia in the Tierra del Fuego province in the far south of Argentina, nestled between the jagged peaks of the Martial Mountains and the Beagle Channel. Here you’ll see good-sized colonies of both Magellanic and Gentoo penguins.
Whale Watching
Argentine Patagonia is the place to go for whale watching too. It’s home to four different types of whales, including humpback, blue, southern right, and orca. While the experience can be enjoyed across the region, including Punta Arenas and around Puerto Piramides, the most unique whale watching is at Puerto Madryn. There are common sightings of southern right whales here that can weigh as much as 69 tons and grow as long as 55 feet. From the shores of Gulfo Nuevo Bay, thousands of them can be seen in the waters where calves learn to breathe. Between August and October, sightings are virtually guaranteed.
The orcas along the Valdes Peninsula are world-famous for their hunting technique, something that can be witnessed when sea lion pups are present. In Punta Norte, that’s February through April, and in Punta Delgada and Caleta Valdes, it’s September through November.
Kayak to the Marble Caves
There are many different kayaking excursions available in Patagonia but one of the most off-the-beaten-path and unforgettable is the Marble Caves tour from Puerto Rio Tranquilo in Chile. If you do the famous road trip on the Carretera Austral mentioned earlier, it’s an easy stop along the way. You’ll be able to paddle out to these caves that were carved out of solid marble polished only by the lapping of the luminescent blue-green lake over thousands of years.
Experience the Thrill of Whitewater Rafting
Futaleufu in Chile is not only one of Patagonia’s most beautiful regions, but it’s renowned for its world-class rafting, ranked among the best places on the planet for the adventure with rapids that can hit class 5. There are family-friendly floats on the aquamarine-hued water for gentle entertainment and spectacular views as well as heart-pounding trips that provide the total adrenaline surge.